Power supply apparatus and method using same

ABSTRACT

A power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more power supply modules removably disposed therein. An accessor movably disposed with an automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a gripper mechanism which can be releaseably attached to a power supply module. A method to supply power to an automated data storage and retrieval system. A method to monitor the operation of a power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application claiming priority to theApplication having Ser. No. 09/816,913 filed Mar. 22, 2001 now U.S. Pat.No. 6,904,005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power supply module removablydisposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system, anautomated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or moreremovable power supply modules, a method to supply power to an automateddata storage and retrieval system, and a method to monitor theperformance of a power supply module removably disposed within anautomated data storage and retrieval system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automated media storage libraries are known for providing cost effectiveaccess to large quantities of stored media. Generally, media storagelibraries include a large number of storage slots on which are storedportable data storage media. The typical portable data storage media isa tape cartridge, an optical cartridge, a disk cartridge, and the like.One (or more) accessor typically accesses the data storage media fromthe storage slots and delivers the accessed media to a data storagedrive for reading and/or writing data on the accessed media. Suitableelectronics both operate the accessor and operate the data storagedrives to transmit and/or receive data from an attached on-line hostcomputer system.

In a conventional automated media storage library, the storage slots arearranged in a planar orthogonal arrangement forming a “wall” of storageslots for holding data storage media. The plane may be a flat plane, ormay be a cylindrical plane. To double the storage capacity, two “walls”of storage slots may be provided on either side of the accessor.

A number of different companies manufacture automated media storagelibraries today, each model displaying various different features. Oneexample is the IBM 3494 Media Storage Library. Some of the automatedmedia storage libraries have dual or multiple accessors to provide alevel of redundancy.

The individual components forming such an automated data storage andretrieval system require power to function. The power requirements ofthese various components typically include power having an alternatingcurrent (“AC”) with differing voltages and frequencies, and directcurrent (“DC”) having differing voltages. In order to supply the powerrequired to operate such an automated data storage and retrieval system,that system typically includes one or more power components. These powercomponents are connected to an external source of power, and transformthat external power into one or more forms of power used within thesystem.

Occasionally, an internal power component may become unavailable, forexample, if a power supply requires maintenance, upgrading, and/orrepair. In the event of a power supply failure, the cause of the failuremust first be ascertained before a repair can be made. What is needed isa removable/portable power supply module, a method to store, transport,use, and replace such a power supply module, and a method to monitor theperformance of such a power supply module while that module is inoperation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants' invention includes a power supply module removably disposedin Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system. Applicants'power supply module includes an enclosure, a power supply internallydisposed within the enclosure, at least one attachment device, a firstelectrical connector disposed on the enclosure and connected to thepower supply, a second electrical connector disposed on the enclosureand connected to the power supply. In certain embodiments, Applicants'power supply modules further includes a data interface.

Applicants' invention further includes an automated data storage andretrieval system for storing and accessing a plurality of portable datastorage media stored in a plurality of storage slots. Applicants'automated data storage and retrieval system includes one or more powercomponents, one or more power supply module receiving slots, one more ofApplicants' power supply modules removably disposed in one more of thosepower supply module receiving slots, one or more first power connectiondevices, one or more second power connection devices, and one or moreaccessors for accessing and transporting Applicants' power supplymodules. Each of these accessors includes a gripper mechanism forreleaseably attaching a power supply module to the accessor. In certainembodiments, Applicants' accessors include a information receivingdevice and a memory buffer.

Applicants' invention includes a method to supply power to Applicants'automated data storage and retrieval system using Applicants' powersupply modules. Applicants' method includes steps to removably disposeone or more of Applicants' power supply module in one or more of theavailable power supply module receiving slots, supply first power havinga first voltage to that power supply module, and transform that firstpower into the second power having one or more second voltages requiredto operate the various components of Applicants' system. Applicants'automated data storage and retrieval system includes a computer useablemedium having computer readable program code disposed in Applicants'automated data storage and retrieval system to implement Applicants'method to supply power.

Applicants' invention further includes a method to monitor theperformance of Applicants' power supply modules removably disposedwithin Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system, and toremove and replace a malfunctioning module. Applicants' automated datastorage and retrieval system includes a computer useable medium havingcomputer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants'method to monitor performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in whichlike reference designators are used to designate like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of Applicants' automated data storagesystem;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of Applicants' accessorshowing the gripper mechanism and the information receiving device;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of one embodiment of Applicants' removablepower supply module, power component, and power supply receiving slot;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of Applicants'removable power supply module, power component, and power supplyreceiving slot;

FIG. 4A is a schematic showing a first embodiment of the communicationbus disposed within Applicants' automated data storage and retrievalsystem;

FIG. 4B is a schematic showing a second embodiment of the communicationbus disposed within Applicants' automated data storage and retrievalsystem;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart summarizing the steps of Applicants' method tosupply power to Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system;and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart summarizing the steps of Applicants' method tomonitor the performance of Applicants' removable power supply modulewhile that module is operating in Applicants' automated data storage andretrieval system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, Applicants' automated data storage and retrievalsystem 100 is shown having a first wall of storage slots 102 and asecond wall of storage slots 104. Data storage media are individuallystored in these storage slots. The data storage media are housed withina portable container, i.e. a cartridge. Examples of such data storagemedia include magnetic tapes, optical disks of various types, includingROM, WORM, and rewritable, and the like.

Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system includes one ormore accessors, such as accessors 110 and 120. An accessor is a roboticdevice which accesses portable data storage media from first storagewall 102 or second storage wall 104, delivers that accessed media todata storage drives 130/140 for reading and/or writing data thereon, andreturns the media to the proper storage slot.

In addition, and as described below, accessors 110/120 also access andtransport spare portable power supply modules stored in first storagewall 102 and/or second storage wall 104. First storage wall 102comprises a plurality of storage slots in which are stored, for example,portable data storage media and/or spare portable power supply modules.Second storage wall 104 comprises a plurality of storage slots in whichare stored, for example, portable data storage media and/or spareportable power supply modules.

As shown in FIG. 1, accessors 110 and 120 travel bi-directionally alongrail 170 in an aisle disposed between first wall of storage slots 102and second wall of storage slots 104. Accessor control 160 controlsaccessors 110 and 120. Operator input station 150 permits an operator tocommunicate with Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system100.

Import/export port 172 include access door 174 pivotably attached to theside of system 100. Portable data storage cartridges can be placed inthe system, or in the alternative, removed from the system, via port172/access door 174. In addition, Applicants' power supply module(s) canbe inserted into the system, or removed from the system, via port172/access door 174.

Referring to FIG. 2, accessor 110 travels bi-directionally along railsystem 170. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, rail system 170 comprisestwo parallel rails. Accessor 110 includes vertical pillar 310. Liftingservo section 318 moves vertically along pillar 310. Accessor 110includes first gripper mechanism 314, second gripper mechanism 320, andinformation receiving device 316.

In certain embodiments of Applicants' accessor, first gripper mechanism314 and second gripper mechanism 320 are disposed on two opposed sidesof a gripping apparatus disposed on lifting servo section 318. In theseembodiments, first gripper mechanism 314 can, for example, remove one ofApplicants' power supply modules from a power supply module receivingslot, lifting servo section 318 can rotate, and second gripper mechanism320 can insert a replacement power supply module into the now-vacantpower supply module receiving slot.

Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system also includesinternally-disposed sources of power. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,Applicants' system includes power components 180 and 190. In alternativeembodiments, Applicants' system includes a single power component, andin yet other embodiments Applicants' system includes a plurality ofpower components.

Referring to FIG. 3A, power source 180 comprises removable power supplymodules 210, 220, and 230. In alternative embodiments, the power sourcecomponent of Applicants' system comprises a single removable powersupply module. In yet other embodiments, Applicants' system comprises aplurality of removable power supply modules disposed within a pluralityof individual power source components, such as power source 180 (FIGS.1, 3A) and power source 190 (FIG. 1).

Accessor 110 (FIGS. 1, 2) and/or accessor 120 (FIG. 1) can access powercomponents 180 and 190 (FIG. 1) and, if necessary, remove one or moreportable power supply module(s) disposed therein. In certain embodimentsof Applicants' invention, each portable power supply module disposedwithin Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system includesdata interface 617 (FIG. 3B) that allows downloading of information,such as performance data, from that portable power supply module whilethat module is in operation. In these embodiments, each accessorincludes information receiving device 316 (FIG. 2) which can downloadinformation from data interface 617, and store that information inmemory buffer 480 (FIG. 4A) disposed on accessor control card 470 (FIG.4A).

Referring to FIG. 3A, power supply module 210 comprises enclosure 211which includes first side 212, second side 214, top 216, and bottom 218.The designations “top” and “bottom” are used for descriptive purposesonly, and should not be construed as limiting. In FIG. 3A, power sourcecomponent 180 includes portable power supply modules 210, 220, and 230.Module 210 is shown removed from power component 180, and modules 220and 230 are shown disposed within power component 180. Power component180 includes vacate power supply module receiving slots 290, 292, 294,296, and 298.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, power source component 180 includesbackplane 240. The individual portable power supply modules disposedwithin power component 180 are removably attached to the backplane 240using plug-in connector assemblies. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A,backplane connector is internally disposed within power component 180about midway between front 182 and rear 184. In other embodiments,backplane 240 is disposed adjacent rear 184.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, first electrical connector 250 disposed onsecond side 214 of module 210 is a module plug-in connector, and secondelectrical connector 260 disposed on backplane 240 is a backplaneplug-in connector. Electrical contact between the connectors 250 and260, and thus between power supply module 210 and power component 180,is effected when connector 250 is releaseably connected to connector260. In certain embodiments of Applicants' invention, connector 250 hasa “male” configuration and connector 260 has a “female” configuration.In other embodiments, connector 250 has a “female” configuration andconnector 260 has a “male” configuration.

Connector 250 includes input power component 252 and output powercomponent 254. Connector 260 includes input power component 262 andoutput power component 264. Connectors 250 and 260 releaseablyinterconnect such that input power component 252 releaseably connects toinput power component 262. Similarly, output power component 254releaseably connects to output power component 264.

First power 290 (not shown in FIG. 3A) having a first voltage issupplied to power component 180 via conductor 270. Conductor 270connects to a first power bus (not shown in FIG. 3A) which receivesfirst power from an external source (not shown in FIG. 3A). First power290 is supplied to removable power supply module 210 via connectors252/262. Removable power supply module 210 transforms first power 290into second power 292 (not shown in FIG. 3A). Second power 292 comprisesone or a plurality of second voltages. Second power 292 is supplied toconductor 280 via connectors 254/264. Conductor 280 provides secondpower 292 to a power bus (not shown in FIG. 3A) internally disposedwithin Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that in embodiments of Applicants'invention where second power 292 comprises more than one voltage,conductor 280 comprises more than one power cable with each suchindividual power cable supplying second power having one voltage.

In certain embodiments, first power 290 comprises DC power. In certainof these embodiments, first power 290 has a voltage of about +38 volts.In alternative embodiments, first power 290 comprises AC. In certain ofthese embodiments, first power 290 has a voltage between about +110volts and about +220 volts. In these embodiments, first power 290 has afrequency of between about 50 and about 60 hertz. In certainembodiments, second power 292 comprises DC power. In these embodiments,second power 292 has a voltage of about +12 volts, about −12 volts,about +5 volts, about −5 volts, and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3B, power component 680 comprises removable powersupply modules 610, 620, and 630, and vacant power supply modulereceiving slots 790, 792, 794, 796, and 798. Removable power supplymodule 610 comprises enclosure 611 which includes first side 612, secondside 614, top 616, and bottom 618. The terms “top” and “bottom” are usedfor descriptive purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting.

First attachment device 613 is disposed on first side 612. In certainembodiments, first attachment device comprises a parallelepiped havingone face disposed on first side 612 and extending outwardly therefrom.In other embodiments, first attachment device comprises a cylinderhaving one end disposed on first side 612 and extending outwardlytherefrom. In other embodiments, first attachment device 613 comprisesan aperture disposed through first side 612. In these embodiments, theshape of the aperture is selected from the group consisting of a cube, aparallelepiped, and a cylinder.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, removable power supply module 610includes a second attachment device, namely second attachment device 615disposed on first side 612. In certain embodiments, second attachmentdevice 615 comprises a parallelepiped having one face disposed on firstside 612 and extending outwardly therefrom. In alternative embodiments,second attachment device 615 comprises a cylinder having one enddisposed on first side 612 and extending outwardly therefrom. In yetother embodiments, second attachment device 615 comprises an aperturedisposed through first side 612. In these embodiments, the shape of theaperture is selected from the group consisting of a cube, aparallelepiped, and a cylinder. In embodiments having two attachmentdevices disposed on enclosure 611, those two attachment devices may beof the same type, i.e. a member extending outwardly from side 612 or anaperture disposed in side 612, and of the same dimension, or those twoattachment devices may differ in type, dimension, or both.

Data interface 617 is disposed on first side 612 of removable powersupply module 610. When removable power supply module 610 is removeablyattached to gripper mechanism 314 (FIG. 2) disposed on accessor 110(FIGS. 1, 2), data interface 617 is disposed adjacent informationreceiving device 316 such that information receiving device 316 candownload first information from removable power supply module 610 whilemodule 610 is disposed in, and operating in, power component 680. Suchfirst information includes, first power being supplied to module 610,second power being supplied by module 610, internal temperatures, powerconversion efficiencies, switching frequencies, and the like. U.S. Pat.No. 5,606,467 describes an interconnection between such a data interfaceand such a information receiving device, and is hereby incorporated byreference.

The interconnection between data interface 617 and information receivingdevice 316 can comprise a physical connection or a wirelesscommunication link. Using such a wireless communication link,information is transferred from data interface 617 to informationreceiving device 316 using infrared frequencies, light in the visiblespectrum, radio frequencies between about 1 MHz and about 10 GHz, andcombinations thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, connector 652 comprises plurality offins 653. Plurality of fins 653 includes individual fins 710, 712, 714,716, and 718. Connector 662 comprises plurality of slots 663. Pluralityof slots 663 includes individual slots 720, 722, 724, 726, and 728.Connector 652 slidingly mates with connector 662. Similarly, connector654 comprises plurality of fins 655. Connector 664 comprises pluralityof slots 665. Connector 654 slidingly mates with connector 664. Incertain embodiments, connector 662 is in electrical contact with a firstpower bus (not shown in FIG. 3B) internally disposed within Applicants'system, and which supplies first power 290 (not shown in FIG. 3B) froman external source (not shown in FIG. 3B. In these embodiments, whenremovable power supply module 610 is disposed within power component680, power component 680 supplies first power 290 (not shown in FIG. 3B)to module 610 via connectors 652/662. Also in these embodiments,removable power supply module 610 provides second power 292 (not shownin FIG. 3B) to power component 680 via connectors 654/664.

In alternative embodiments, connectors 654/664 supply first power 290(not shown in FIG. 3B) to removable power supply module 610 from powercomponent 680. In these alternative embodiments, connectors 652/662supply second power 292 (not shown in FIG. 3B) from removable powersupply module 610 to power component 680.

In yet other embodiments, first power 290 (not shown in FIG. 3B) issupplied to removable power supply module 610 from power component 680,and second power 292 (not shown in FIG. 3B) is supplied to powercomponent 680 from removable power supply module 610, via connectors652/662. In these embodiments, fins 710 and 712 comprise first portion730 of connector 652. Fins 716 and 718 comprise second portion 740 ofconnector 652. Similarly, slots 720 and 722 comprise first portion 750of connector 662. Slots 726 and 728 comprise second portion 760 ofconnector 662. First portion 730 slidingly mates with first portion 750.Similarly, second portion 740 slidingly mates with second portion 760.In these embodiments, first power 290 (not shown in FIG. 3B) is suppliedto removable power supply module 610 from power component 680 via firstportions 730/750. Second power 292 (not shown in FIG. 3B) is supplied byremovable power supply module 610 to power component 680 via secondportions 740/760.

In certain embodiments shown in FIG. 3B, first power 290 comprises DCpower. In certain of these embodiments, first power 290 has a voltage ofabout +38 volts. In alternative embodiments, first power 290 comprisesAC. In certain of these embodiments, first power 290 has a voltagebetween about +110 volts and about +220 volts. In these embodiments,first power 290 has a frequency of between about 50 and about 60 hertz.In certain embodiments, second power 292 comprises DC power. In theseembodiments, second power 292 has a voltage of about +12 volts, about−12 volts, about +5 volts, about −5 volts, and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4A, serial protocol bus 410 disposed withinApplicants' automated data storage and retrieval system is incommunication with accessor control card 470, master communicationscontrol card 420, X/Y movement control card 430, and operator controlpanel control card 440. In certain embodiments of Applicants' inventionserial protocol bus 410 comprises an ethernet protocol bus or a CANBUSprotocol bus. Accessor control card 470 includes memory buffer 480, andis disposed on accessor 110 (FIGS. 1, 2). X/Y movement control card 430is disposed within system controller 160 (FIG. 1). Operator panelcontrol card is disposed within operator control panel 150 (FIG. 1).

Referring to FIG. 4B, in an alternative embodiment of Applicants'invention X/Y movement control card 430 further includes wirelesscommunication device 570, and accessor control card 470 further includeswireless communication device 580. In this wireless communicationembodiment, X/Y control card 430 provides control commands by wirelesscommunication to accessor 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2) via accessor control card470 disposed within accessor 110. In certain embodiments of Applicants'invention, such wireless communication is conducted over frequenciesbetween about 800 MHz and about 1.0 GHz. In other embodiments, suchwireless communication is conducted using emissions within the infraredspectrum.

Communication control card 420 includes external interface connection422. Using external interface connection 422, the data stored inrevolving memory buffer 480 resident on accessor control card 470 can beaccessed by external computer 460. Communication link 450 connectsexternal computer 460 and communication controller 420 via externalinterface connection 422. In various embodiments of Applicants'invention, communication link 450 comprises an RS 232 cable, a localarea network, a private wide area network, a public wide area network,i.e. the Internet, and the like.

Applicants' invention includes a method to supply power to an automateddata storage and retrieval system. FIG. 5 summarizes the steps inApplicants' method to supply power. In step 802, the X/Y movementcontroller 430 (FIG. 4A) instructs an accessor movably disposed with thesystem, such as accessor 110 (FIGS. 1, 2), to retrieve a designatedpower supply module, such as power supply module 610 (FIG. 3B) from astorage slot, such as one of the storage slots disposed in first storagewall 102 (FIG. 1), and transport that designated power supply module toa designated power supply receiving slot, such as slot 792 (FIG. 3B).

In step 804, the designated accessor attaches gripper mechanism 314(FIG. 2) to attachment device 613 and/or attachment device 615 on powersupply module 610. In step 806, designated accessor 110 transportsattached power supply module 610 to power supply receiving slot 792disposed in power component 680 (FIG. 3B). In step 808, accessor 110inserts power supply module 610 into slot 792. In step 810, accessor 110releases attachment device 613/615 from gripper mechanism 314.

In accord with step 816, by inserting power supply module 610 into slot792 in step 812, connector 652 slidingly mates with power connectiondevice 662 thereby supplying first power 290 (not shown in FIGS.) fromconductor 270 (FIG. 3A) to power supply module 610. In step 818, powersupply 610 transforms first power 290 having a first voltage into secondpower 292 (not shown in FIGS.) having a second voltage. In accord withstep 814, by inserting power supply module 610 into slot 792, connector654 slidingly mates with power connection device 664. Power supply 610supplies second power 292 to second power bus 280 (FIG. 3A).

Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system includes acomputer useable medium having computer readable program code disposedtherein for supplying power within the system. Applicants' computerreadable program code comprises a series of computer readable programsteps to monitor the power requirements of Applicants' automated datastorage and retrieval system. Applicants' computer readable code furthercomprises a series of computer readable program steps to: instruct anaccessor to retrieve a designated power supply module and transport thatmodule to a designated power supply module receiving slot by firstattaching the gripper mechanism disposed on the designated accessor tothe attachment device disposed on the designated power supply module,transport the attached power supply module to the designated powersupply module receiving slot, insert the designated power supply moduleinto the designated slot, release the designated power supply modulefrom the gripper mechanism, supply first power having a first voltage tothe designated power supply module, cause the designated power supplymodule to transform that first power into second power having a secondvoltage, and supply that second voltage to a second power bus disposedwithin Applicants' system.

Applicants' invention includes a method to evaluate the operationalperformance of the power supply modules removeably disposed withinApplicants' automated data storage and retrieval system. FIG. 6summarizes the steps in Applicants' method.

In step 902, the X/Y controller 430 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) instructs accessor110 to download, store in memory buffer 580 (FIGS. 4A, 4B), andcommunicate first information, such as actual performance data, from adesignated power supply module, such as power supply module 610, andcommunicate that first information to master communication controller420 (FIGS. 4A, 4B). Such first information includes, first power input,second power output, internal temperatures, power conversionefficiencies, power factor, switching frequencies, and the like.

In step 904, accessor 110 is positioned such that information receivingdevice 314 (FIG. 2) is disposed adjacent data interface 617 disposed onpower supply module 610. In step 906 first information is downloadedfrom power supply module 610 to memory buffer 580. In step 908, thatfirst information is communicated to master communication controller420. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, that first information iscommunicated via serial data bus 410. In the embodiment shown in FIG.4B, that first information is communicated by accessor 110 to X/Ycontroller 430 using wireless communication devices 570 and 580. In thisembodiment, X/Y controller 430 then communicates the first informationto master communication controller 420 via bus 410.

In step 910, the first information is compared to second information,such as desired or nominal performance specifications. In step 912 theperformance of power supply module 610 is determined to be eitheracceptable or unacceptable. If the performance is acceptable, then powersupply module 610 is not removed and replaced.

On the other hand, if the performance of power supply module 610 isdetermined to be unacceptable in step 912, then in step 916 power supplymodule 610 is removed from power supply receiving slot 792.Malfunctioning power supply module 610 is then either stored in one ofthe storage slots disposed in first storage wall 102 (FIG. 1) or secondstorage wall 104 (FIG. 1), or in the alternative, power supply module610 is transport to import/export port 172 and is removed from system100. In step 918, accessor 110 is instructed to retrieve a replacementpower supply module from storage, and to transport that replacementpower supply module to power supply module receiving slot 792. In step920, the replacement power supply module is inserted into the firstpower supply receiving slot 792.

In an alternative embodiment, accessor 110 is instructed to retrieve areplacement power supply module prior to monitoring the performance ofpower supply module 610. In this embodiment, the replacement powersupply module is, for example, removably attached to first grippermechanism 314. Subsequently, second gripper mechanism 320 attached topower supply module 610 and removes that module from power supplyreceiving slot 792. Lifting servo section 318 then rotate, and firstgripper mechanism 314 inserts the replacement power supply module intothe now-vacant power supply module receiving slot 792. Accessor 110 theneither stores malfunctioning power supply module 610 in a storage slotdisposed in first wall 102/second wall 104 (FIG. 1), or delivers powersupply module 610 to import/export port 172 (FIG. 1) for removal fromsystem 100.

Applicants' automated data storage and retrieval system includes acomputer useable medium having computer readable program code disposedtherein for evaluating the performance of the power supply modulesremovably disposed within Applicants' system. Applicants' computerreadable program code comprises a series of computer readable programsteps to evaluate the performance of the power supply modules removablydisposed within Applicants' system while those modules are in operation.Applicants' computer readable code further comprises a series ofcomputer readable program steps to: instruct an accessor to download,store, and communicate first information, such as performance data, froma designated power supply module to a controller, to evaluate that firstinformation in order to determine of that designated power supply moduleis functioning properly, and to remove and replace that designated powersupply module in the event that module is not performing properly.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications andadaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the present invention as set forthin the following claims.

1. An automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a computeruseable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein tomonitor operation of a first power supply module removably disposedwithin a power supply module receiving slot disposed in said automateddata storage and retrieval system, said first power supply modulecomprising a data interface and an attachment device, said automateddata storage system comprising a controller having a first communicationdevice, one or a plurality of accessors moveably disposed therein,wherein each of said one or a plurality of accessors comprises at leastone gripper mechanism, an information receiving device, and a secondcommunication device connected to said information receiving device andin communication with said first communication device, the computerreadable program code comprising a series of computer readable programsteps to effect: positioning the information receiving device disposedon one of said one or a plurality of accessors adjacent said datainterface disposed on said first power supply module; communicatingfirst information from said first power supply module to said accessor;communicating said first information from said accessor to saidcontroller; and analyzing said first information.
 2. The automated datastorage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein said accessor furthercomprises a memory buffer, said computer readable program code furthercomprising a series of computer readable program steps to effect storingsaid first information in said memory buffer.
 3. The automated datastorage and retrieval system of claim 1, the computer readable programcode further comprising a series of computer readable program steps toeffect: providing second information; generating a comparison betweensaid first information and said second information; and determining theperformance of said first power supply module based upon saidcomparison.
 4. The automated data storage and retrieval system of claim1, the computer readable program code further comprising a series ofcomputer readable program steps to effect: releaseably attaching thegripper mechanism disposed on said one of said one or a plurality ofrobotic accessors to said attachment device; removing said first powersupply module from said power supply module receiving slot; retrieving asecond power supply module; inserting said second power supply moduleinto said power supply module receiving slot.
 5. The automated datastorage and retrieval system of claim 4, wherein said automated datastorage and retrieval system further comprises a plurality of storageslots, said computer readable program code further comprising a seriesof computer readable program steps to effect storing said first powersupply module in one of said plurality of storage slots.
 6. Theautomated data storage and retrieval system of claim 4, wherein saidautomated data storage and retrieval system further comprises animport/export port, said computer readable program code furthercomprising a series of computer readable program steps to effectremoving said first power supply module from said automated data storageand retrieval system via said import/export port.
 7. A method to monitorthe operation of a first power supply module removably disposed in apower supply module receiving slot disposed within an automated datastorage and retrieval system, said first power supply module comprisingan enclosure, a data interface disposed on said enclosure, and anattachment device disposed on said enclosure, said automated datastorage system comprising a controller having a first communicationdevice, one or a plurality of accessors moveably disposed therein,wherein each of said one or a plurality of robotic accessors comprises agripper mechanism, an information receiving device, and a secondcommunication device in communication with said first communicationdevice, said method comprising the steps of: positioning the informationreceiving device disposed on one of said one or a plurality of accessorsadjacent said data interface disposed on said first power supply module;communicating first information from said first power supply module tosaid accessor; communicating said first information from said accessorto said controller; and analyzing said first information.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein said accessor further comprises a memory buffer,said method further comprising the step of storing said firstinformation in said memory buffer.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereinsaid analyzing step further comprises the steps of: providing secondinformation; generating a comparison between said first information andsaid second information; and determining the performance of said powersupply module based upon said comparison.
 10. The method of claim 7,further comprising the steps of: releaseably attaching the grippermechanism disposed on said one of said one or a plurality of roboticaccessors to said attachment device; removing said first power supplymodule from said power supply module receiving slot; retrieving a secondpower supply module; and inserting said second power supply module intosaid power supply module receiving slot.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein said automated data storage and retrieval system furthercomprises a plurality of storage slots, said method further comprisingthe step of storing said first power supply module in one of saidplurality of storage slots.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein saidautomated data storage and retrieval system further comprises animport/export port, said method further comprising the step of removingsaid first power supply module from said automated data storage andretrieval system via said import/export port.